Big Inning Hurts WVU in Game Two

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia University baseball team allowed six runs in the first inning, falling 7-4 to TCU on Saturday evening at Appalachian Power Park.

The series is now tied at 1-1 after WVU won 2-0 in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader. The Mountaineers (30-21, 12-8 Big 12) had 10 hits with two errors and the Horned Frogs (24-25, 9-11 Big 12) finished with nine hits and no errors.

“I was really pleased with our effort today,” coach Randy Mazey says. “I thought we had good at bats against some really good pitchers and those good at bats will hopefully carryover to tomorrow.”

TCU tagged WVU starter Dan Dierdorff early, sending 10 batters to the plate in the top of the first inning and scoring six runs on five hits. Highlighting the inning for TCU was a two-run double to center field by Cody Jones, while Derek Odell had an RBI double and Kyle Bacak hit an RBI single.

“We grinded our way back into it. We had several opportunities with the tying run at the plate throughout the game,” Mazey says. “Their pitching is just so good. We got guys on base and they made some really good pitches and every time they go to the bullpen they bring another quality arm in there.”

The first three WVU batters walked to load the bases in the bottom of the first with no outs, and the Mountaineers cut the lead to 6-2. Junior third baseman Ryan Tuntland singled through the right side to score sophomore shortstop Taylor Munden, while junior first baseman Ryan McBroom hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score senior right fielder Brady Wilson.

After TCU scored on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 7-2 in the top of the third, McBroom knocked his 11th home run of the season over the left center field wall, cutting the TCU lead to 7-4. Junior left fielder Jacob Rice led off the bottom of the third with a single to right field and was plated by McBroom’s blast.

McBroom finished 2-for-3 with one run and three RBIs for the Mountaineers, while Rice and sophomore second baseman Billy Fleming each had two hits.

Dierdorff (4-6), a senior right-hander, allowed six runs (four earned) on five hits with one walk in 0.2 innings. Junior righty Josh Harlow pitched 4.2 innings of quality relief, surrendering one run on three hits with three strikeouts and two walks. Junior right-hander Ryan Tezak and freshman Ryan Hostrander pitched the final 3.2 innings.

TCU’s Brandon Finnegan (0-7) earned a no-decision, giving up four runs on six hits in 2.2 innings with four strikeouts and four walks. The Horned Frogs then showed their pitching depth and sent in five relievers that combined for 6.1 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just four hits with eight strikeouts. Stefan Crichton (4-3) picked up the win, while Riley Ferrell earned his second save of the season.

The rubber match is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. The game will be video streamed on WVUsports.com, while the radio broadcast will be on select affiliates of the Mountaineer Sports Network, with Morgantown affiliate WAJR 1440 AM serving as the flagship station. The game can be heard in Charleston on WSWW 1490 AM.